Similar to Half and Half?

[Mike S]

Devlin's in London Court in Perth sells Amphora as far as I know.

Tobaccoblends.com.au seems to have a reasonably good selection.

Tobacco Blends is fantastic, I use them regularly. They have a good selection, but did not have the Half & Half. I also use myhumidor.com in Australia, by far the most competitive prices and that's where I got Half & Half. Their stock seems to go pretty quickly though. Ten years ago Devlin's was fantastic for pipe smokers. I bought my first two Australian pipes from them. They used to have a great variety of tobacco but have since scaled down their pipe selections and tobacco to practically zero. They now focus on cigars and high end luxury items because obviously that's where the money is. I have written to them but had no response so I figure they couldn't be bothered with the average Joe, so I won't buy from them on principle. But thanks for your input. It's so good to be able to share on this forum!

 

[Mike S]

I think Velvet has a similar Anisette topping. It's not identical, just similar.

I love Velvet! You're right, it was a toss between Velvet and Carter Hall. Next time I'll get Velvet, a smooth and satisfying smoke!

 

[Mike S]

Not really.

What you do is include a note saying 'thought that you'd enjoy this as a nice surprise' so it looks all innocent.
Declare it for what it is - e.g. the brand name - just don't include the word tobacco.

But do you order online from US based stores? If so, could you let me know from who? I would love to try this option, thanks for that!!!

 

[Mike S]

Half-and-Half is a classic combination of Virginia and burley, so you have many options with commercial blends or you could buy some of each and mix it to suit your own taste. There are probably scores of blends based on this combination, many of them throwing in some black Cavendish to give the smoke a little more volume. Russ Ouellett at PC does a good version with Log Cabin in bulk, and there are many others. I also highly suggest you try doing your own mixes, to get exactly the proportion you like best.

Thank you for that, you are clearly an experienced smoker with a great deal of knowledge, appreciate your input!

 

[Mike S]

Thank you for that, you are clearly an experienced smoker with a great deal of knowledge, appreciate your input!

You mentioned Rus Quellet at PC. Is PC a store?

 

[bullet08]

i know it sounds strange, but i thought royal yacht was very close to half&half.

 

[tobefrank]

Tobaccoblends.com.au has Dunhill Royal Yacht on their website if you'd like to give that a try.

 

[Mike S]

Sorry about your troubles my friend. I guess that's our future here as well. Is there a legal amount for a gift to be sent?

This is something I'd like to explore. From what I gather small amounts labelling content by brand and not using the words 'tobacco' with a note inside saying "thought you'd enjoy this nice surprise" is the way to go. Perhaps if it was an exchange of gifts, money for an item, there is a chance?

 

[Mike S]

Tobaccoblends.com.au has Dunhill Royal Yacht on their website if you'd like to give that a try.

Thanks, I'm making a note of that right now to give it a try, Thank you my friend!

 

[Mike S]

Any recommendations of an online retailer in the US I could try to purchase from?

 

[chopper]

But do you order online from US based stores? If so, could you let me know from who? I would love to try this option, thanks for that!!!

Sent you a PM.

 

[chopper]

Tobaccoblends.com.au has Dunhill Royal Yacht on their website if you'd like to give that a try.

They're cheaper than my tobacconist. Postage would make up for the difference I guess.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

This is something I'd like to explore. From what I gather small amounts labelling content by brand and not using the words 'tobacco' with a note inside saying "thought you'd enjoy this nice surprise" is the way to go. Perhaps if it was an exchange of gifts, money for an item, there is a chance?

let me know. Its not much trouble for me to stop by the post office.

 

[chopper]

Any recommendations of an online retailer in the US I could try to purchase from?

There's just one US online tobacconist who still 'plays ball' by helping us out.
The others I've dealt with have been leaned on by US Customs so let's not make it hard for him by saying the name out loud. : )

If/when other Aussies want to know just send them a PM with the info.